The Diocese of Rockville Centre Launches Financial Literacy Program for Schools

Students in the seventh and eighth grades have been learning about financial literacy and more at Catholic schools on Long Island.

The Diocese of Rockville Centre partnered with Junior Achievement of New York to bring J.A. in a Day, a financial literacy program, to its Long Island Catholic schools. Through J.A. in a Day, students in the seventh and eighth grades learn about financial literacy, workforce readiness, and entrepreneurship. Junior Achievement of New York is an organization that helps young people prepare for their economic futures.

“We chose to do it with our seventh and eighth grades because they're getting ready to go into high school and it's a good time to start thinking about the future,” says Anthony Biscione, assistant superintendent of curriculum.

The series of one-day workshops are led by volunteers from Tomorrow's Hope Foundation, an organization that raises money for Catholic schools on Long Island. “The Tomorrow's Hope Foundation, these are people who are good stewards not only of their finances, but stewards of our faith, which is very important because they're not just getting an entrepreneurial view, but an entrepreneurial view from someone who has demonstrated philanthropy,” Biscione says.

All volunteers went through training sessions led by representatives from Junior Achievement where they learned how to interact with children and discussed questions the students might have. Being successful in business, the volunteers shared their own experiences about their careers and how they got to be where they are today.

“The kids love it because they're hearing some of the things they hear from their teachers about working hard, but they're hearing it from a different voice,” Biscione said. “The volunteers thoroughly enjoy it.”

The financial literacy program launched during the past school year and came to more schools on Long Island in November. The Diocese of Rockville Centre is working on arranging more J.A. in a Day dates for the spring.

The Diocese of Rockville Centre is located at 50 N. Park Ave. in Rockville Centre. For more information, call 516-678-5800 or visit drvc.org.

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Barbara Russo is a freelance writer who holds a bachelor's degree in communications from the City University of New York. She enjoys playing guitar, following current events and hanging out with her pet rabbits.
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